Still evolving, the story of Ermias Wogari's professional life is one overflowing with destiny and meant-to-bes. An internship at the local Precision Cobotics seems to have triggered that work destiny or, at the very least, re-affirmed it.

"I always wanted to develop and create something or solve a problem or make a product, just bring something new to this Earth," said Wogari. "I've always had this entrepreneurial spirit. All the things I'm learning here are going to help me design in the future. My parents are from Ethiopia, I've been there three times, and it's really touched my heart. I want to do something that's going to help other people. From there, we'll see how life goes."

Wogari is employed full time as an automation engineer overseeing the RoboticWorX program at Precision Cobotics, 148 W. Airport Road, Lititz. He's worked in that role for about a year now, after completing a direction-altering internship secured through an existing relationship between Precision Cobotics and Millersville University, where Wogari was an automation and intelligent robotics engineering student before graduating in 2023.

Specializing in robotic automation solutions, Precision Cobotics applies existing technology for manufacturing clients to make their workforces more efficient.

"After I graduated, I really didn't know where I was going to work in this field," said Wogari. "I was looking all over, and I saw an ad on LinkedIn that said Precision Cobotics was looking for a senior engineer. I didn't have any of those qualifications, but I applied anyway because I wanted to get an opportunity to talk to the president, John Bridgen, and see if there were any opportunities. He offered me the internship, and I said I was interested. Everything just worked out so perfectly. I came to Precision Cobotics, and it's been the beginning of a very, very amazing journey."

During his yearlong internship, Wogari worked, learned and applied the knowledge he acquired at Millersville to his position at Precision Cobotics. At the conclusion of his internship, he was offered a full-time position at Precision Cobotics, a role that he began during the summer of 2024.

Currently, Precision Cobotics is sponsoring seven interns, a majority of whom have graduated from or are currently attending school at Millersville University.

"I've worked a lot of jobs since I was 14 or 15," said Wogari, a resident of Lancaster city who graduated from McCaskey in 2019. "All of my jobs never required me to use critical thinking or problem-solving skills. When I first started the internship, one of my hardest problems was getting out of that mindset. It took me over a year to break that habit of not thinking for myself. Now I can think for myself. Now I can always apply that."

Wogari has been interested in engineering and automation for almost as long as he can recall. But throughout his journey there have been milestones that have flamed that interest.

"I remember vividly when I was under 10, I loved Legos a lot," said Wogari. "I don't know why, but I just loved building. I always loved things that require creativity. When I was young, my parents encouraged me and prayed for me to be an engineer. It gave me hope for the future. It never limited me."

Backed by that spirit of curiosity and adventure nurtured at Precision Cobotics, Wogari has a bright future filled with possibilities.

"The internship opened my eyes in general," said Wogari. "When you're not self-centered in how you think, I think that's the biggest thing in my life. It's the little things you do that build opportunities. Just never stop believing and have a heart for helping other people. Never giving up is one of the most important aspects of successful people."

For additional information, go to http://www.precisioncobotics.com.